Today was a shopping nightmare. I knew I was taking a risk by not putting the older two down for their quiet time. But Owen was diagnosed with eczema and I needed to change his baby wash, lotion, and detergent. So, the trip was necessary. And since we were out, I figured I'd start Alex's school shopping. Now, Owen does not like his car seat. He normally screams an entire car trip. Today started out well. No screaming. We get to the store, a smooth transition from car to inside and he remains asleep. The kids want a double cart so they don't have to walk and I agree knowing that Jenna will tire out. We make it to the baby section and I check out the creams and wash, but want to check the general section before I decide what to get. So, off to school supplies. Just as we are getting the list out, Owen wakes up and starts screaming. He NEEDS to be out of his seat. But I cannot push the huge double cart with one hand. So, I tell the other two to sit tight and we are off to the front of the store to switch carts, with Owen screaming the whole time. We make the switch and head to the back of the store again. On the way, we hit the cream/lotion section and I have to read all the labels and find nothing - I'll have to head back to the baby section for that. But we need other things in that area, so let's keep shopping...oh, yeah, Owen is in one arm and my other arm is supposed to push the cart and hold his pacifier in his mouth...tricky, but somehow we manage. I find the huge sized laundry detergent and lug it into the cart with one hand. Then onto the huge sized paper-towels and toilet paper - here I put the kids to work and they become the other four arms every mother needs. By this time, Owen has made it clear that he does not want to be lying down in my arm but up on my shoulder. Even though he has good head control, he's still at the age where two arms are really needed to hold him....hmm, my one arm left now has how many jobs? So, I put my chin to work and hold onto his shoulder with it, while pushing the shopping cart with my other hand. OK, back to school supplies. Really, how many packs of markers, crayons and bottles of glue does one child need - today, we purchased 8 total and we are still not done! The bright side, Alex and Jenna had fun running around trying to find everything we needed. When we couldn't find anything else on the list, it was time to head back to the baby department to get the wash and lotion. To get to said location we would have to pass the toy department. Really, my left arm is now numb from lugging Owen's 12 lbs around, my neck is sore from acting like another arm and I am starting to break a sweat. I just want to finish the trip and get home. I agree to two aisles only and have to repeat myself only 20 times that we were not at the store to buy toys. We leave the toy department (with muffled comments, most likely regarding what a horrible mother I am and how unfair life can be), head to the baby department, and then I realize I forgot the coffee. I cannot leave the store without purchasing more coffee, how am I to cope tomorrow if I don't get more coffee. The coffee is on the other side of the store, so off we go and we might as well stop by the kids artsy stuff to see if we can find the crayons that were out in the school supply section. Knowing that I was going to need two arms to check-out, I ease Owen back into his car seat. At this time, Alex and Jenna pounce on the sides of the cart, adding 90 lbs that I must push around. Get coffee and head to check out lanes, finally!! Start putting our stuff up and Owen stirs and starts screaming. Let me just say that my boy is loud, very loud, like everyone anywhere near you staring at you loud. We get the stuff unloaded, I hand over my coupons and the poor check out guy picks up his phone - I give him a pleading look while fumbling with my one hand to find my wallet in my huge diaper bag - apparently at Target, you are only allowed so many coupons at one time without manager approval. Thankfully the guy hangs up his phone and says he's going to save me five minutes and just scan all the coupons. Really, I think he just wants Owen out of the store. I load the stuff back into the cart and with the little sanity I have left head for the door when I hear a little voice say "Mommy, I have to go potty". Really. Is this really happening? Knowing Jenna would not make it home I head to the restrooms. Alex pipes in that he also has to go, so I throw them both into the family bathroom and tell them to hurry. Owen is a screaming, sweaty mess and it really seems like his head is about to explode, he is that red. Alex slowly opens the door, sticks his head out and tells me that Jenna is pooping...yes, it got that much better. Now, I am required to go in and wipe her, with Owen ready to pop. And let me tell you, the bathroom really is a great amplifier for a screaming infant. Owen goes back into his carseat, the screaming escalates, I didn't know that it could. We finish in there, open the door to an audience - I'm sure the whole store could hear Owen by now. It is feeding time. Their is no way I'm going to make it home. So, we head to the Starbuck's in the store, find a seat and I fix Owen his bottle. While feeding him, I somehow manage to find my wallet, go up to the counter, purchase two cookies and a bottle of water for Alex and Jenna. At least I now had time to relax and there was some quiet. In this quiet moment I overhear two women at the table next to me talking about a friend of theirs who is expecting. This woman has decided to stay at home with her baby and one woman says to the other, "she is going to be bored out of her mind." How was your day?
Wasn't it just days ago when I first held you in my arms and got lost in your eyes? Wasn't it just hours ago when you hit all your milestones - smiling, laughing, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking? Wasn't it just minutes ago when I first had to let you go and walked you into your first preschool class? Where does the time go? I have been by your side for six years now and you have been by mine. And though we are still a team, and will always be, our time together is changing. You will be away from me for the better part of the day, continuing to grow into your own little person, venturing out and finding your place in the world. I will still guide you. I will still teach you. And I will love watching you continue to grow, just as I have loved watching you over the last six years. And I am so happy that we survived this day - me, choking back the tears as I gave you that hug and kiss good-bye and watched you walk through the doors of the school; you, having so much fun on your first day with recess ("we had three recesses today Mom!!") being your favorite part. It will be a good year, buddy, and I am so happy for you!
